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Easy-To-Use Design Tool Takes Users From Inspiration To Action with Virtual Project Planning and Decorating

 

Partnership Enables Advertisers to Reach In-Market Buyers With Interactive Product Placement

NEW YORK, March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- PointClickHome.com, the comprehensive shelter network from Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. (www.hfmus.com) has partnered with DesignMyRoom.com, a virtual interior design and decorating website, to help visitors who are in home makeover mode go from "inspiration to action" and enable advertisers to reach in-market consumers via interactive product placement.

 

By partnering with DesignMyRoom.com, PointClickHome.com will offer users a unique experience, allowing them to interact virtually with thousands of products from trusted brands in their own personal and creative way. Users can visualize countless design and decorating options by dragging and dropping images of actual products from sponsors including Armstrong, Benjamin Moore, Kohler, Smith + Noble, and Whirlpool into room scenes, get product information, start estimating renovation costs, and buy their chosen products and accessories.

PointClickHome.com users will also have access to inspiring ideas, advice and tips from DesignMyRoom.com's featured designers, including host Robert Verdi, Eric Cohler, Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and Amy Lau. These top design professionals have created fabulous virtual rooms and will provide fresh insights on blogs and feedback on room projects.

"This is a comprehensive design tool that takes PointClickHome users from inspiration and project planning to product purchase by allowing them to see how real products will actually look -- all mixed together -- in one room, get additional information on the products they like, and even purchase those products," said James Hickey, Editorial Director of PointClickHome.com.

"Advertisers recognize the enormous potential of this kind of interactive product placement. This gives marketers the opportunity to put their products virtually into the hands of action-oriented consumers," said Laurence Oberwager, VP/Publisher PointClickHome.com. "There is no better tool for advertisers to reach consumers at the 'moment of truth.'"

"DesignMyRoom.com represents a new model for shelter media on-line, where homeowners collaborate on decorating projects using advertisers' products as an integrated part of the experience. It's exactly what online shelter media needs. And Hachette's deep shelter presence and innovative culture makes them a perfect partner for us," said Jesse Engle, VP/Business & Product Development, Swatchbox Technologies.

PointClickHome.com is a comprehensive shelter web network, uniting content and data from HFM U.S.'s shelter brands: ELLE Decor, Metropolitan Home, HOME, Kitchens & Baths, Remodeling & Makeovers, Budget Decorating, Walls, Windows & Floors, and Gardening & Deck Design; and providing consumers with access to all the resources and creative tools they need to design and make buying decisions.

DesignMyRoom.com is the "easiest place to design your space." The site was created by Swatchbox Technologies, a leading developer of virtual design tools for the home. More information about Swatchbox Technologies is available at www.swatchbox.com.

About Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.

Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. (www.hfmus.com) enthusiast brands and targeted media products reach nearly 60 million consumers through magazines, online and mobile content. The company's editorial hallmarks are trusted expert content along with independent product testing. Our prestigious brands fall into five sectors and include: Automotive (Car and Driver, Road & Track, Jumpstart Automotive Media); Fashion (ELLE, ELLEgirl); Shelter (ELLE Decor, Home, Metropolitan Home, PointClickHome, and Special Interest Publications Group); Women & Health (Woman's Day and Woman's Day Special Interest Group) and Enthusiasts (American Photo, Boating, Cycle World, Flying, Popular Photography, Premiere and Sound & Vision). HFM U.S. Total Solutions marketing initiative packages these assets across brands and platforms with customized marketing programs. HFM U.S. is part of Lagardere's (www.lagardere.com) media division Lagardere Active, a producer of special interest content in over 40 countries.